These days, the word sustainable has become practically meaningless, with most “sustainable” products just a step less bad than conventional alternatives. And because of the power of such “sustainababble,” the world largely has ignored the rich spectrum of political, cultural, and technological changes that would set us on the path to a truly sustainable future. The newState of the World 2013—which features contributions from experts at the Worldwatch Institute, such as Senior Fellow Erik Assadourian, as well as from environmental thought leaders such as The Story of Stuff author Annie Leonard—argues that while the science of sustainability is clearer than ever, we still face the question of whether transforming our society into one guided by sustainability is even possible. Assadourian and Leonard are joined in conversation by Chip Giller, founder and president of Grist.

Presented by: Town Hall as part of its Civic series, with Grist and Elliott Bay Book Company. Series supported by The Boeing Company, the RealNetworks Foundation, and the True-Brown Foundation. Sponsored by The Stranger.Tickets: $5.Doors open: 6:30 pm.Town Hall member benefits: Priority seating, discounted onsite book sales.Learn more:About the book